Michael Arden, Kate Shindle & More Set For Reading of Broadway-Bound Steve Jobs/Bill Gates Musical Nerds

Michael Arden, Charlie Pollock and more will star in an industry reading of the Broadway-bound musical comedy Nerds in New York City on June 21. The musical will then play a limited engagement at the North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh from January 18, 2013 through February 3. The musical is aiming to open on Broadway in 2013, however no theater or exact dates have been announced. Nerds features a book and lyrics by Jordan Allen-Dutton and Erik Weiner, with music by Hal Goldberg. The reading will be directed by Casey Hushion.

Featuring a rock-infused score, Nerds is a comic celebration of the rise of computer technology featuring the two pop-culture icons that made it possible: Bill Gates (Arden) and Steve Jobs (Pollock). In addition to Arden and Pollock, the reading will also feature Helene Yorke (Wicked) as Sally, Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde) as Myrtle, David Rossmer (Peter and the Starcatcher) as Steve Wozniak and Mark Price (Mary Poppins) as Paul Allen. Gabriel Ebert (4000 Miles), Tom Deckman (Spamalot) and Scott Barnhardt (The Book of Mormon) are also set to take part in the reading.

Arden's Broadway credits include Big River and The Times They Are A-Changin’. Additionally, Arden has appeared in Bare: A Pop Opera off-Broadway and Aspects of Love at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London. His film and TV appearances include Source Code, Bride Wars, Anger Management, GCB, The Good Wife, The Mentalist and Nurse Jackie.

Pollock appeared in 9 to 5 on Broadway and Urinetown on tour. His TV credits include As the World Turns and Law & Order.